Glen Elgin 2008 Aged 13 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Infrequent Flyers #71 (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 56.7%           Age: 13 Years Old            Country: Scotland

Cask Number: 805647
Date of Distilling: 2008
Matured In: a single Re-Charred Hogshead
Un-Chillfiltered

Independent bottlers, have been around for a many years. They source whiskies from different distilleries throughout Scotland and around the world, and using their experience bottle them as single casks. These whiskies are then presented in their most natural form which includes no chill filtering, bottling at natural colour, and more options at cask strength.

Established in 2008 The Alistair Walker Company is based in Grangemouth in Central Scotland. Alistair has almost 20 years experience in the whisky industry and is not affiliated to any one distillery. Alistair’s career in the whisky industry began in January 1997, at Burn Stewart Distillers in a sales and marketing role for over six years. At that time Burn Stewart was the custodian of two single malt distilleries – Deanston and Tobermory. In October 2004, he joined The BenRiach Distillery Company, and remained with them for over twelve years, until the business was eventually sold. This was a new-start business, that had been set up in 2004 following the acquisition, by three entrepreneurs, of the BenRiach Distillery from Pernod Ricard. In addition to BenRiach, Alistair also had the good fortune to work with the GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries, with BenRiach having acquired GlenDronach in 2008, and then Glenglassaugh in 2013. In 2018, Alistair found himself on hiatus, and contemplating what to do next.

Keen to be his own boss and also wishing to remain in the whisky sector, he decided to venture into the exciting world of independent bottling. Making the move from distillery to independent bottler is very much a case of ‘gamekeeper turned poacher’. Fortunately, independent bottling is a vibrant category at present; as more and more whisky enthusiasts are seeking out single cask bottlings and whisky releases that are a little different, somewhat unique, and often from less familiar distilleries.

The whiskies the are bottled under the brand name ‘Infrequent Flyers’. That name refers to the nature of many of the casks that are bottled – often whiskies from lesser-known distilleries that are of excellent quality, but have never been widely or consistently available. As such, many of the bottlings are of whiskies that you just don’t see so often – hence the name ‘Infrequent Flyers’.

Glen Elgin Distilleryis situated in the heart of Speyside approximately 3 miles south of Elgin. This distillery was the last distillery to be built during the boom years of the 1890s. The architect, Charles Doig, stated it would be the last one built in Speyside for 50 years. His prediction was remarkably accurate with Tormore being the next distillery built, in 1958. The original site was chosen for its water source and close proximity to the railway line. Unfortunately the water source proved unreliable and permission for a railway siding was refused. Until the 1950s the distillery was entirely operated and lit by paraffin. All machinery was driven by a paraffin engine and a water turbine. The distillery is owned by the ‘Elgin Group which also owns Linkwood, Glenlossie and Mannochmore. The whisky is still a key component of White Horse blended whisky, which is exported to over 200 countries worldwide.

This single cask single malt whisky was distilled at the Glen Elgin Distillery before being placed in a re-charred  ex-Bourbon Hogshead barrel in 2008 and left to mature for 13 years. It was bottled at 56.7% abv and marks bottling number713 of the Infrequent Flyers series.

Only 269 bottles were produced for worldwide distribution.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Pear danishes freshly out of the oven, grated fresh orange zest and warm toasted cinnamon.

Palate: Sultanas and slithered almonds mingle with orchard fruits, there’s fresh cinnamon buns and freshly cracked black pepper.

Finish: Medium with Manuka honey which combines with vanilla and charred oak.